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Thursday, December 29, 2016

Arizona Hot Springs (aka Ringbolt Hot Springs) - 12/29/16

Hot Springs Slot Canyon

Colorado River

White Rock Canyon

Starting down White Rock Canyon

The Arizona Hot Springs Trailhead is found on the Arizona side of the Hoover Dam, 4 miles south at the White Rock Canyon Trailhead. Fifteen hikers arrived for a fun hike down to the river, through the hot springs and back up via some interesting dry falls. Although Mike scheduled the hike, John B. led us along with his expertise on this trail. We started down White Rock Canyon with quite a bit of speed! Everyone was keeping up just fine and seemed to enjoy the gravity-aided three miles.

A Little Scrambling

Almost all of this canyon is bedded with gravel. There is only a few spots where hands are required to help our legs take a large step down.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

With thirty hiker feet crunching through the gravel for three miles, it was a pretty loud hike!

White Rocks between Black Walls

Swift Descent

White Rock Canyon is so called because over time, white granite rocks from the Wilson Range above have tumbled down through this canyon to the gorge and river below. These rocks lend a beauty to the dark rock of the Black Rock Canyon area as do the winding steep tall walls we hiked between. The fine scenery did not escape us as we sailed down the canyon. At the mouth of the canyon, the wash spreads wide emptying into the Colorado River that runs between Arizona and Nevada at this point just south of Hoover Dam. We turned left onto the River Connector Trail.

Up Colorado from White Rock Canyon

The water in the river was low at this time of day as seen by the high white line, or bath tub ring. Our first stop was on Ringbolt Rock.

Standing on Ringbolt Rock

The nearby hot springs are also referred to as Ringbolt Hot Springs due to this location's history. Before Hoover Dam was built, there were difficult rapids running through Black Rock Canyon in this area.

Ringbolt

Down Colorado River from Ringbolt Rock

In order for large boats to press upward through the rapids, it was necessary to use a system of cables threaded through several ringbolts anchored in the rock on either side of the canyon. The cables would cinch the boats up through the rapids. One of those ringbolts is still embedded in this rock that sticks out into the canyon. This rock is also the best place to go cliff diving in the area. Even though the water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the river, it is rumored to be around 85 feet deep down from the tip of Ringbolt Rock.

Dropping into next Wash on River Connector

The River Connector Trail passes Ringbolt Rock, dips down through a couple of old tamarisk trees, climbs up a steep hill, scrambles up through a crack, then follows a trail over the ridge and down to the next canyon wash.

Passing Boat and Coots Beyond

There is a restroom that sits somewhat near the river here. We took a snack break on the rocks and prepared ourselves for getting wet!

Preparing to get Wet!

Waterfalls in Hot Springs Slot

We returned to the canyon where we had dropped into it then continued up the gravel where water is running down from the hot springs at the end of the slot. To reach the pools, you have to climb up through a series of waterfalls. It is best to be wearing something that you don't mind getting wet. It is very difficult to do this scramble if you want to stay dry. Next came the famous twenty foot ladder. Thirty? Well, at any rate, you will get wet climbing this steel, secured ladder since it climbs right up in the waterfall.

The Ladder

Please climb the ladder one at a time. Since the rungs are wet, you don't want to get tangled up in a fall.

One at a Time on the Ladder

There are three pools in the hot springs that have been built with sandbags. The first pool is 100 degrees, the second pool is 105 degrees and the third pool is 110 degrees.

Passing through the Hot Springs Pools

Putting shoes back On

We passed about five bathers (with bathing suits) in these pools then tested the water coming out of the wall at the top. That water was 123 degrees! We climbed out of the slot and redressed for hiking. This took a few minutes. Next, we started up Hot Springs Canyon; a canyon with several scrambles. Our expert leader knew all the shortcut trails and where to put your feet and hands on the scrambles. We went slower on the way up but we still made good time. Everyone was doing very well.

Starting Up Hot Springs Canyon

The geology in this canyon is different but just as interesting with changes in type of rock in the walls. Soon, we were passing the Saddle Trail junction. This is simply another way to return to the cars.

Various Scrambles on the Way Up

Today, we had chosen the Dry Falls Route and so, we continued up the canyon wash. There are two sets of petroglyphs along the way and we marveled at both as we passed.

Two Petroglyph Sites near Trail

Helping Out

The last two dry falls are the absolute best. One is about 30' and the next is about 40'. Everyone stepped up to the challenge and had a blast doing it! When we were all up and safe again, we continued out the top of the canyon and followed the trail that leads over to the wide wash in which we had started down. The highway bridge was in sight and we climbed through the gravel up to the trailhead. Fantastic day! And, all is well with the world!

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Points to Ponder

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